Flow-meter.



L. A. SHELDON.

FLOW METER.

APPLICATIQN FILED JUNE 3, I914.

Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

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LUCIAN A. SHELDON, or SCHENECTADY, new roux, nssionon To GENERAL nnnc'rnrc COMPANY, n oonrona'rroiv on NEW YORK.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

retested nee. 1,1916.

Application filed June 3, 1914. Serial No. 842,633

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LUOIAN A..SHELDON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, county of Schenectady, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flow-Meters, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to flow meters of the type wherein a U-tube containing a suitable liquid, usually mercury, is connected by pipes to a pressure dili'erence creating device arranged in the main through which the fluid to be metered flows.

In connection with the use of such instruments it sometimes happens that the U-tube is subjected to such an excessive pressure on one side or the other as to force the mercury or other liquid over into the main whereby the same is lost, and the instruments are disabled until the liquid is replaced. An excessive pressure might occur, for example, due to an unusual increase in the rate of flow such as would result from the bursting of a main, or it might occur due to a leak in either the leading or trailing pipe.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide means for preventing the mercury or other fluid from being blown out of the U-tube under the conditions above described.

In carrying out my invention 1' provide a suitable valve at some point in the c0nnection between the leading and trailing sides of the pressure ditlerence creating device which closes in case excessive pressure occurs and thus prevents the loss of the inercury or other fluid.

As will be obvious an excess pressure is much more liable to occur on the leading side than on the trailing side. If it isdesired to guard against an excess pressure on the leading side only, I provide a valve which closes only under such circumstances, while if it is desired to guard against an excess pressure on either side I provide a valve which seats under either circumstance.

Referring to the accompanying drawing \vhcrein I have illustrated certain embodiments of my invention, Figure 1 is a sectional view showing one form of my inven' tion, Fig. 2 is a view of a second form, and Pig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing a meter connected up with a main.

Referring to the drawing, 3 indicates the casing of the instrument in which is contained the indicating fluid as mercury, the same being designated 4. The instrument shown is of known type and comprises a reservoir 5 with which communicates the leading pipe 6 and from which rises the tube 7 with which communicatesthe trailing pipe 8. The reservoir 5 and tube 7 form the pressure ditl'erence creating device is controlled by the valve 11 here shown as being arranged between the two legs of the U-tube manometer. The valve, when seated, closes the ports 12. The valve is supported by one end of a lever arm 13 pivoted at 14, the other end of which is attached to a float 15 which rides on the fluid 4:. The valve will be moved toward and away from its seat by the float falling and rising due to changes in the fluid level in the well, which in turn depends upon the difi'erence in pressure existing between the two sides ot' the U-tube. So long as this pressure difi'erence is normal the valve does not seat. In case it becomes excessive, however, the tluid level will be depressed to such a point as to cause the seating or the valve. This prevents further deflection and the blowing out of the indicating fluid. This arrangement guards against an excess in pressure on the leading side only.

While I prefer to arrange the valve as shown and control itby means of a float riding on the indicating fluid, it will be understood that I am not necessarily limited to this arrangement, or to the specific means of control as any'means which would respond to excess pressure couldbe utilized.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 2 is substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 1, except that the valve is arranged to seat whenever an excess of pressure occurs on either side of the instrument. To this end the valve 11 is'controlled as before by the float 15, but is provided with seats on opposite sides thereof as indicated at 16 and 17. By this arrangement the valve will close in case of an unusual pressure on either side of the instrument, as will be obvious. I

'In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention together with the apparatus which I nowconsider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative, and that the invention can be carried out by other means. i

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is 1. In a flow meter, the combination of a pressure difference creating device adapted to create a pressure difference which bears a definite relation to the rate of flow of the fluid to be metered, a U-tube manometer, pipes connecting the device and manometer, valve means for cutting off communication between the leading and trailing sides of the pressure diflerence creating device in case of excess pressure on one leg of the manometer,

and a float which rides on the indicating fluid and controls said valve means.

2. In a flow meter, the combination of a pressure difference creating device adapted to create a pressure diflerence which bears a definite relation to the rate of flow of the fluid to be metered, a U-tube manometer, pipes connecting thedevice and manometer, valve means for cutting off communication between the leading and trailing. sides of the pressure difference creating device in case of excess pressure on either leg of the manometer, a float which rides on the indicating fluid, and means connecting the float to said valve means.

3. In a flow meter, the combination of a pressure difference creating device adapted to create a pressure difference which bears a definite relation to the rate of flow of the fluid to be metered, a U-tube manometer, pipes connecting the device and manometer, and valve means arranged between the two tion between the reservoir andthe tube, and

means controlled by excess pressure on the leading side of the flow meter for closing said valve.

5. In a flow meter, the combination of a base member forming a reservoir, a tube rising therefrom, said reservoir and tube forming together the respective legs of a U-tube manometer, a valve controlling communication between the reservoir and the tube, and means controlled by excess pressure on either side of the flow meter for ClOSlIlg said valve.

6. In a flow meter, the combination of a base member forminga reservoir, a tube rising therefrom, said reservoir and tube form-v ing together the respective legs of a U-tube manometer, indicating fluid therein, a valve controlling communication between the reservoir and the tube, a floatlwhich rides on I the indicating fluid, and means connecting the float to the-valve.

7. In a flow meter, the combination of a base member forming a reservoir, a tube rising therefrom, said reservoir and tube forming together the respective legs of a U-tube manometer, indicating fluid therein, a double faced valve, valve seats arranged above and below the same, a float which rides on the indicating fluid, and a pivoted lever connecting the float to the valve.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, 1914,

LUGIAN A. SHELDON. Witnesses:

HELEN Onrono, BENJAMIN B. HULL. 

